Code detecting mechanism for detecting incorrect, missing, or misplaced codes on an article

ABSTRACT

A code detecting mechanism for detecting articles having incorrect, missing, or misplaced codes travelling along one path, and in response thereto diverting the articles to another path. A predetermined code is sensed by a sensing system selectively set to the predetermined code, and the output thereof fed into a logic control circuit. If the sensing system does not sense the predetermined code for which it is preset, the control logic circuit is actuated to divert the article.

United States Patent [191 MISPLACED CODES ON AN ARTICLE [75] Inventor:ioh ald l u clietti jjanies J.

Richards, both of Rochester, N.Y.

[73] 'Assignee: Eastmanliddalt ompany,

Rochester, NY.

221 Filed: Jan. 2, 1973 211' Appl. No.: 320,049

[52] US. cl. 209/111.7

[51] Int. Cl. B07c 5/342 [58] Field of Search 209/l11.7, 111.8, 73, 74 R[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,133,640 5/1964 Calhoun209/1 1 1.7

Luchetti 1 Apr. 9, 1974 541 com; DETECTING MECHANISM FOR 3,473,03410/1969 Goldstem 209/1111 x DETECTING INCORRECT, MISSING, 0 3,529,132 9/1970 lsobe 209/1 1 1.7 X

' 3,547,265 12/1970 Braun 209/11 1.7

Primary ExaminerRichard A. Schacher Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Steve W.Gremban 57 ABSTRACT A code detecting mechanism for detecting articleshaving incorrect, missing, or misplaced codes travelling along one path,and in response thereto diverting the articles to another path. Apredetermined code is sensed by a sensing system selectively set to thepredetermined code, and the output thereof fed into a logic controlcircuit. If the sensing system does not sense the predetermined code forwhich it is preset, the control logic circuit is actuated to divert thearticle.-

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures ,1 o 0 AND FLIP FLOP K 30 724 I data $8 5input 2B 0- SHIFT REG/575R /30 T-5 shift data 9 pulse output 26 FLIP FL0P resell] 1 CODE DETECTING MECHANISM FOR DETECTING INCORRECT, MISSING,OR MISPLACED CODES ON AN ARTICLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe Invention This invention relates generally to detectors, and morespecifically to a code detecting mechanism for detecting incorrect,missing, or misplaced codes on an article, such as a film cartridge.

. 2. Description of the Prior Art It is old in the art to providepackaging lines in which articles to be packaged are transported. alonga conveyor to a packaging station. A problem of article separationdevelops, however, in packaging applications in which the articles allhave the same outward appearance, but inwardly contain a differentproduct. An example of this are film cartridge packaging lines in whichthe film cartridges are outwardly identical, but may contain differenttypes of film. In situations of this type, the cartridge is normallyprovided with a label affixed thereto and indicating thereon the type offilm contained in the cartridge. Although efforts are normally made toseparate the cartridges before they are placed on the conveyor,inevitably cartridges containing one type of film are mixed in withcartridges containing a different type of film. As a consequence,customers who are expecting to receive a package containing one type offilm, find that the package may contain one or more cartridgescontaining a different type of film.

It is known in the prior art to provide a photosensitive code detectingsystem, of which US. Pat. No. 3,086,121 is exemplary, for scanning bitsof coded indicia on an article, and simultaneously producing outputsignals in response to the bits of coded indicia. The output signals areused to control certain utilization circuits, such as sorting gates, sothat all packages having a predetermined information code will go intoone group. Although this code detecting system operates satisfactorilyfor sorting articles, it suffers from the disadvantage that the codesensing portion of the system cannot be readily changed to sense adifferent code format. In addition, in'this code detecting system, thecode sensors are operated for the entire length of the article, and nomeans are provided for controlling the starting and stopping of thesensors to sense only a predetermined portion of the code. Lastly, theelectrical circuitry for the code detecting system appears to berelatively complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, a code detecting mechanism is disclosed comprising a codesensing means that is selectively'set-- table by selector switches toone of a number of code formats for detecting codes on articlestransported at a rate of up to 600 articles per minute. When the sensingmeans senses a code corresponding to' the code for which it is preset, asignal produced thereby is fed into a detector logic control circuitwhich remains inactive. 1

However, if the sensing means senses a code that is different than thepreset code, the signal produced thereby actuates the detector logiccontrol circuit, causing a mechanism to divert the article from itsnormfal path. Means are provided for controlling the activity of thelogic circuit so that it is responsive to the sensing means only duringthe scanning of a selected portion of the code format, such as 1/32 ofan inch.

The advantages of the code detecting mechanism of this invention is thatthe sensing means may be selectively changed in a facile manner to senseany one of a number of different possible code formats. In addition, themechanism can be readily controlled to be responsive to only apredetermined portion, such as approximately l/32 of an inch, of thesensed, coded area, thereby making the mechanism more sensitive indetecting errors in a displaced code or label. Also, the detectingmechanism ofv this invention is believed to be more compact and lessexpensive than prior known mechanisms.

It is accordingly one of the objects of the present invention to providean improved code detecting mechanism that can be selectively adjusted todetect or sense one of a plurality of possible code formats.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved code detectingmechanism that is readily adjusta'ble to sense or detect onlyapredetermined portion of the code format. 7

Another object ofthe invention is to provide an improved code detectingmechanism that is of simple design and construction, thoroughly reliableand efficient in operation, and economical to manufacture.

The invention and its objects and advantages will become more apparentfrom the detailed description of the preferred embodiment presentedbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the detailed description of thepreferred'embodiment of the invention presented below, reference is madeto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the code detecting mechanism ofthis invention positioned to detect a code on a conveyed cartridge;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the detecting mechanism of FIG. 1; v

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an article having a label attached theretoprovided with one possible code for mat, and diagrammatically indicatingthe positions that the selector switches of the sensing unit wouldbeset;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating another possible codeformat; and I FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the codedetecting mechanism of this invention.

i I DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Because code detectors'arewell known, the present description will be directed in particular toelements forming part of, cooperating more directly with, apparatus inaccordance with the present invention. Detector and logic circuitelements not specifically shown or described herein should be understoodto be selectable from those known in the art.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, a preferred embodimentof the code detecting mechanism 10 of this invention is shown inposition to sense or scan a code format 12 (FIGS. 3 and 4) on anarticle, such as a cartridge 14 transported beneath the mechanism on aconveyor 16 or the like. The code format 12 of any desired type, such asa combination of light and dark areas, is provided on a label 18, andthe label attached by glue or the like to cartridge 14. Normally, the

label background 20 provides the light code marks and is a lightreflecting color, such as yellow, and the nonlight reflecting code marks22 are supplied by a dark color, such as a flat black ink. The codedetecting mechanism of this invention detects missing, misplaced, orincorrectly coded labels 18 on the cartridge, and in response thereto,actuates any suitable article diverting mechanism, such as an air ejectvalve 24 (FIG. 5), for removing a rejected cartridge 14 from theconveyor 16.

Although only two possible code formats 12 are illustrated in FIGS. 3and 4, using a four-dotted code, it should be understood that many otherpossible different codes are available. For example, the number ofpossible codes is: (2 2) where N is the number of code positions. Eachselected code could designate a particular type of film in thecartridge.

The sensing means (FIGS. 1, 2, and 5) for sensing the code format 12 ona label 18 comprises supports 25 for a plurality of photocell sensingunits 26 of a known commercially available type having a light source,not shown, focusable on the label and a light receiving photocell, notshown, mounted in the same enclosure. The supports 25 are adjustablymounted for movement in three planes for adjusting the photocell sensingunits 26 relative to a cartridge 14. Since the black ink used for codingthe labels 18 ideally will not reflect light, whereas the yellowbackground on which it is placed does reflect light, the photocellsensing unit 26 is ideally suited. Each of the photocell units 26 iscoupled to any suitable amplifier 28, the output of which is connectedto a selector switch 30 selectively movable from a normal off positionto either a light position, in which the photocell and related logiccircuit will look for a yellow or reflecting light portion 20 of thelabel, or a dark position, in which the photocell and related logiccircuit looks for a dark or non-reflecting light portion, such as blackcode marks 22, in which substantially no light is reflected. By settingthe four code selector switches 30, the code format 12 which is to bedetected by the sensing unit and logic circuit is selected. Cartridges14 having a label 18 which is missing, misplaced, or contains a codeformat 12 different from the one selected by the selector switches 30will be sensed by the sensing unit and later ejected from the conveyor16. If the photocell sensing unit 26 senses a code on a cartridge 14 forwhich it is set, the cartridge will remain undisturbed, and will travelon the conveyor to the packaging station, where it is packaged.

The detector logic circuit for receiving the signals from the photocellsensing units 26, as best seen in FIG. 5, comprises an AND gate A. Theoutput of each of the photocells 26, which is arbitrarily designatedlogic 1 if the photocell senses the code for which it is set, andarbitarily designated logic 0 if the photocell senses a different code,are applied to AND gate A. The leading portion or area of the code to besensed is established by a timing pulse T-l provided by a commerciallyavailable rotoswitch, not shown, attached directly to the main drive ofconveyor 16. The pulse T-l is applied to a flip-flop A which is normallyset to logic 0. Flip-flop A is reset, applying a signal 1 to AND gate A.As soon as another timing pulse T-2 from the rotoswitch is applied toAND gate A, the gate operates, and continues to operate, until stillanother timing pulse T-3 from the rotoswitch is applied to flip-flop A,resetting it. Accordingly, it is possible to control the detector toscan or sense as little as 1/32 of an inch at a transport speed ofsubstantially 600 cartridges per minute, thereby making it possible todetect labels that are displaced approximately l/32 of an inch. Ifdesired, the gating of the photocells 16 into AND gate A may also beaccomplished by a photocell, not shown, which is designed to look forthe leading edge of a cartridge 14. If the code sensed by the photocellsensing units 26 corresponds to the code set by switches 30, all of theoutputs thereof fed into AND gate A" are 1," and hence the output of ANDgate A is 1. The AND gate A output 1 is coupled to a detecting flip-flopB which is normally set to logic 1, indicating a bad label 18 or onethat is either missing, misplaced, or improperly coded. The logic output1 from AND gate A resets flip-flop B to a logic 0, indicating a goodlabel. This information is then clocked into a storage shift registerand before the next cartridge arrives at the detection station, a timingpulse T-4 from the rotoswitch sets or returns the detecting flip-flop Bto logic 1, and timing pulse T-S shifts the shift register oneincrement. The 0 output from the shift register along with anothertiming pulse T-6 from the rotoswitch is applied to another AND gate B,whose output is O." Accordingly, the cartridge diverting means in theform of eject air valve 24 for blowing the cartridge off of the conveyor16 is not actuated, and the cartridge 14 continues on the conveyor tothe packaging station. This completes one cycle of operation. Let usassume that the next cartridge 14 that arrives at the detection stationdoes not have the proper code format 18 or the label is misplaced.Accordingly, the output of one or more of the photocells 26 will be 0,which is gated into AND gate A by the rotoswitch time pulses T-l andT-2. Accordingly, AND gate A" output 0" is coupled to the detectingflip-flop B which remains in its normal set position of logic 1. Thelogic 1 output is gated into the shift register which stores andadvances the cartridge status for a predetermined number of positionsuntil the cartridge arrives at the ejection station. At such time, thelogic 1 output of the shift register is fed into AND gate B, along witha rotoswitch pulse T-6, and AND gate B logic output 1 actuates eject airvalve 24, causinga blast of air to eject the defective cartridge 14 fromconveyor 16.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference toa preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications canbe effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention as described hereinabove.

I claim:

1. In a code detecting mechanism for detecting one of a number ofpossible codes comprising a combination of light reflecting andnon-light reflecting areas on an article such as a film cartridge or thelike, the combination comprising:

transport means for transporting a plurality of coded articles along apath containing said one code among other codes;

means for diverting from said path all articles not containing said onecode whereby-articles containing said one code continue to betransported along said path;

means comprising a plurality of photocells for sensing said codes onsaid articles during transport thereof by said transport means;

logic circuit means including an AND gate responsive to said photocellswhen codes other than said one code are sensed for operating saiddiverting means for diverting all articles containing codes other thansaid onecode; and

means for selectively varying said one code comprising a plurality ofselector switches in which each switch couples one of said photocells tosaid AND gate and is movable between one position for sensing a lightreflecting area and asecond position for sensing a non-light reflectingarea.

2. The invention according to claim 1 and further including means forcontrolling the duration of operation of said AND gate to sense saidcode on a finite length of said article as little as 1/32 of an inch.

3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said controlling meanscomprises a flip-flop circuit connected to said AND gate, means forfeeding a first timing pulse to said AND gate to initiate operation ofsaid AND gate, and means for feeding a second timing pulse to saidflip-flop circuit causing said flip-flop circuit to discontinueoperation of said AND gate.

4. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said controlling meanscomprises a flip-flop circuit connected to said AND gate and movablebetween a set state in which the AND gate will not operate and a resetstate in which the AND gate will operate, means for feeding timing pulseto said flip-flop circuit for moving said flip-flop circuit to saidreset state, means for feeding a second timing pulse to said AND gate toinitiate operation of said AND gate, and means for feeding a thirdtiming pulse to said flip-flop circuit for moving said flip-flop circuitto said set state causing said flipflop circuit to discontinue operationof said AND gate. i

UNITED STATES I ATENT "OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Parent No.3;802,.559 Dared vApril 1 4 Invencofl) Ronald A. Luohetti; James J.Richards It is certified that: error appears in the above-identifiedpatent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

F @oiumn 6 9 lim; M. after word Eweiing insort fang a firr-it -n Signedand sealed this 22nd day of bctober 1974.

(SEAL) Attestz' MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting OfficerCommissioner of Patents

1. In a code detecting mechanism for detecting one of a number ofpossible codes comprising a combination of light reflecting andnon-light reflecting areas on an article such as a film cartridge or thelike, the combination comprising: transport means for transporting aplurality of coded articles along a path containing said one code amongother codes; means for diverting from said path all articles notcontaining said one code whereby articles containing said one codecontinue to be transported along said path; means comprising a pluralityof photocells for sensing said codes on said articles during transportthereof by said transport means; logic circuit means including an ANDgate responsive to said photocells when codes other than said one codeare sensed for operating said diverting means for diverting all articlescontaining codes other than said one code; and means for selectivelyvarying said one code comprising a plurality of selector switches inwhich each switch couples one of said photocells to said AND gate and ismovable between one position for sensing a light reflecting area and asecond position for sensing a non-light reflecting area.
 2. Theinvention according to claim 1 and further including means forcontrolling the duration of operation of said AND gate to sense saidcode on a finite length of said article as little as 1/32 of an inch. 3.The invention according to claim 2 wherein said controlling meanscomprises a flip-flop circuit connected to said AND gate, means forfeeding a first timing pulse to said AND gate to initiate operation ofsaid AND gate, and means for feeding a second timing pulse to saidflip-flop circuit causing said flip-flop circuit to discontinueoperation of said AND gate.
 4. The invention according to claim 2wherein said controlling means comprises a flip-flop circuit connectedto said AND gate and movable between a set state in which the AND gatewill not operate and a reset state in which the AND gate will operate,means for feeding timing pulse to said flip-flop circuit for moving saidflip-flop circuit to said reset state, means for feeding a second timingpulse to said AND gate to initiate operation of said AND gate, and meansfor feeding a third timing pulse to said flip-flop circuit for movingsaid flip-flop circuit to said set state causing said flip-flop circuitto discontinue operation of said AND gate.